This course examines the nature of both science and religion and attempts to explore the possible relationships between them. The primary purpose is to dispel the popular myth that science and religion are entrenched in a never-ending conflict. As a result, this course argues that if the limits of both science and religion are respected, then their relationship can be complementary.
Topics include: Science and Religion Categories and Foundational Principles, Definitions of Science and Religion, Science-Religion Models and Relationships, Intelligent Design and Natural Revelation, the Galileo Affair, Geology and Noah’s Flood, Evolution and Darwin’s Religious Beliefs, the Modern “Evolution” vs. “Creation” Debate, the Problem of Evil, and Interpretations of the Biblical Accounts of Origins in Genesis 1-11.
The course employs a Constructive Teaching Style in order that students can develop their personal views on the relationship between science and religion and on each of the topics listed above.
St. Joseph's College is a Catholic, undergraduate, liberal arts college on the University of Alberta campus. It is an independent institution that is affiliated with the University of Alberta.

Avaliações

SL

Amazing information offered, more than what I could ask for at NO cost. Well instructed course with a wealth of knowledge to attain.

SA

May 11, 2020

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Learned about religion and science and how one depends on other.

Na lição

What Is Religion?

This is a course on the relationship between Science and Religion, and in order to develop a relationship between them we first need to define them. Five different definitions of religion from various academic schools are presented, including those from religious studies, psychology, and philosophy. Notably, the academic definition of religion is wide and quite inclusive. In light of this information, we then outline the academic understanding of the Doctrine of Creation. During this week, we begin to examine specific Hermeneutical Principles. The Principle of Accommodation is the most important interpretive principle in Science and Religion allowing individuals to move away from scientific concordism and the notion that religious texts like the Bible offer scientific facts.

Ministrado por

Denis Lamoureux

Transcrição

Episode 40. In pagan religions, the divine is some force within the universe, which is the non-divine. Note that the term pagan is not a derisive term, it is an academic category in religious studies. Clouser notes that there are various kinds of pagan religions. Ritualistic pagan religions are nature religions, in which there is a cosmic force in the earth, Sun, trees etc., and this force is teleological in that it directs the world. Non-ritualistic religions include popular culture, with beliefs in fate, destiny, and the phrase we often hear today, 'the meant to be'. Again, this is a teleological force that influences the world. Another non-ritualistic pagan religion is Marxism, with a cosmic force that pushes society forward, and therefore, in a teleological direction, through feudalism, capitalism, socialism and finally, communism. An interesting aspect of Roy Clouser's view of religion is that he classifies materialism as a non-ritualistic religion. From his perspective, materialism has a purposeless force in nature with no final goal. Clearly, this is a dysteleological worldview. For Clouser, the divine is blind chance and the non-divine is matter and energy. So we can ask the question, can you call a dysteleologist like Richard Dawkins religious? Roy Clouser would. Finally, in dualistic pagan religions, there are two divine forces in opposition to each other, and both are teleological. An example is the Chinese yin and yang. Clouser's second type of religion are pantheist religions. The Greek adjective pan means all, and of course theos means God. Pantheists believe that everything is divine. There are two basic types of pantheism. In idealistic pantheist religions, the physical universe, that is the non-divine, is believed to be an illusion. In fact, even the person and logical thinking are considered to be an illusion. Clouser in Quote 22 further explains this religion. Idealistic pantheist traditions insist that what is wrong with people is their attachment to the illusory world, as it is encountered in ordinary experience by reason. Logical criticism, they say, fails to recognize that logical thinking is also part of the everyday world of illusion. As such, logical thinking is part of the deception that prevents people from discovering the divine unity of all reality. The goal of idealistic pantheists is to detach from the illusion of the world, and also, the self, through mystical experience, and then to annihilate the self and melt into the divine. An example of this type of religion is Buddhism, where these religious believers attempt to achieve nirvana and melt into nothingness. It is important to point out that naturalistic pantheist religions are not included by Roy Clouser. And the reason for this is because they do not fit his divine and non-divine categorical distinction. In naturalistic pantheism, the physical universe is the only reality. An example of a naturalistic pantheist is the famous physicist Albert Einstein. He was raised Jewish, and rejected a personal God at 12 years of age. For Einstein, God is the physical world with its beauty and harmony. He also had a complementary view of the relationship between science and religion. In Quote 23, he writes, "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." End of episode.